Image Credit: digitalart
This week’s update is supported by Platinum sponsor Madcap & their Ultimate Communications Suite, MadPak
Thank /THaNGk/
Verb: Express gratitude to (someone), esp. by saying “Thank you”: “Mac thanked her for the meal and left”
Yesterday in the United States was Thanksgiving. Having lived outside of the US for a while, I (Al) know that Thanksgiving raises a number of questions. What’s it for again? Why do you Americans (and Canadians but theirs is in October) have this holiday? I’ve personally explained the holiday on three different continents over the years. Frankly, my explanations aren’t always the same but each will touch on similar themes such as it’s a day we use to celebrate being together, being alive and the success we’ve had over the year.
Or, if the year has been particularly difficult sometimes we celebrate the fact the year is almost over. Once upon a time, we (royal use here) often understood happiness as appreciating what we have rather than just yearning for what we don’t. Many, many people still adhere to that principle and Thanksgiving provides a perfect time to do just that—appreciate what we have even if it’s not what we ultimately want.
Connie and I have been managing TechWhirl for nearly nine months now. And while we are preparing for next month’s “Santa, All I want for Christmas …” series, we thought it would be a good time to say thank you and appreciate what we have right now.
From Al, I’m thankful for:
- my wife and real family who have supported me throughout the years and are positive motivators for continuing with TechWhirl
- my grandmother who is one tough cookie. She won’t stop fighting to keep her mind and body strong
- a great work partner who’s been a close friend for years. It’s great to have full trust in someone
- our sponsors and advertisers who have been willing to stick by the new kids while they push forward even if it means we’ve changed some stuff
- every person we’ve met while managing TechWhirl who has been willing to give us their time and talents on nothing much more than a promise
From Connie, I’m thankful for:
- The really great opportunities to work on really cool stuff, especially TechWhirl.
- An amazing family who often puts the “fun” in dysfunctional, but supports me in all my adventures.
- A business partner and close friend who is everything I am not, and pushes me to do better and do more.
- Friends who are like family, and keep me motivated, grounded and sane.
- The immensely talented members of the SWU, TechWhirl’s sponsors and the many great folks we’ve met along the way. You have become our professional reason for being.
Social Media and the Chance to Follow TechWhirl:
- Our Google Plus Page – what’s happening behind the scenes | http://goo.gl/SO0R4
- Will you be our Friend? Please, you know you want to click | http://goo.gl/tDrW7
- Want all this TechWhirl goodness a few characters @ a time | http://goo.gl/itjDg
- Inside TechWhirl newsletter (all about our work) | http://goo.gl/yRxu1
- Typing TechWhirl.Com too much for you? Try RSS | http://goo.gl/msLzu
SPONSOR-Luv
We want to send a very special “thank you” to our sponsors for their support. Without them, we’d have no turkey; just the sides.
Platinum A: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Platinum B: ComponentOne Software, Madcap Software
Gold: EC Software, Vancouver Island University, Society for Technical Communication (STC)
What You’re Talking About
A quick What you talkin’ ‘bout to our Tech Writers and their discussions in our email discussion group:
- Kari Gulbrandsen wants good suggestions and references for representing ideas and concepts in “Flow Charts.” Stuart Burnfield suggests “Illustrating Computer Documentation: The Art of Presenting Information Graphically on Paper and Online,” by William Horton, and Michael West suggests “Envisioning Information” and other work by Edward Tufte.
- Kevin McLaughlin found a truly fine example to “Make your day – “techwriting” meets ad copy, and it ain’t pretty” and it’s worth clicking the link to have a read. http://moncton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-11HP-29-Snowblower-W0QQAdIdZ332915918. The author has a gift for knowing the audience and writing specifically to it.
In Case You Missed it: This Week @ TechWhirl
- Tech Writer Tips & Tricks: Advanced DITA (Sponsored by Adobe)
- Book Review: The Secret Life of Word by Robert Delwood, reviewed by Cheryl Voloshin
- All About E-Readers by Keith Soltys
In the News
From our new, “News” Division …
Have a great weekend,
Connie & Al
